The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on economic development policy in the 2026 General Assembly session.
Economic development is a core function of local government contributing to job creation, supporting local businesses, and positioning communities to compete in a rapidly evolving economy. Through its economic development advocacy, MACo works to ensure that state policies strengthen, not constrain, local efforts to attract investment, support workforce development, and advance projects that reflect regional economic priorities.
In Maryland’s 448th legislative session, the General Assembly considered an ambitious slate of economic development initiatives aimed at boosting Maryland’s economic competitiveness, supporting transformational projects, and aligning long-term strategy with workforce and infrastructure investments.
Proposals such as the DECADE Act, enhanced Tax Increment Financing (TIF) tools, and new statewide planning frameworks reflected a growing emphasis on coordinated, large-scale economic growth, many of which rely on strong state-local partnerships. Within this landscape, MACo engaged to promote flexibility, protect local decision-making, and ensure that economic development tools remain adaptable to the diverse needs of Maryland’s counties, while opposing measures that could limit local input or reduce local competitive edge.
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MACo supported HB 898/SB 388 – Economic Development – Delivering Economic Competitiveness and Advancing Development Efforts (DECADE) Act with amendments. The DECADE Act builds on collaboration between the Maryland Department of Commerce, the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO), and local economic development leaders to strengthen key incentive programs and enhance the State’s competitive position. Counties support these goals while urging amendments to ensure regional flexibility, structured local consultation, and alignment with the diverse economic realities across Maryland’s communities. This bill DID pass the 2026 session.
Bill Information | MACo Coverage
MACo supported HB 461/SB 300 – Economic Development – Rural Readiness Program and Rural Maryland Capacity Building Fund – Establishment. This bill establishes the Rural Readiness Program and the Rural Maryland Capacity Building Fund, directly responding to challenges faced by rural counties by creating a structured program to help them build readiness for economic development and compete more effectively for available grant funding. This bill DID pass the 2026 session.
Bill Information | MACo Coverage
MACo supported HB 1473/SB 770 – Economic Development – Maryland’s Future Board – Establishment. This bill establishes the Maryland’s Future Board within the Department of Commerce and creates the Maryland’s Future Fund to support implementation of a long-term, visionary economic development strategy. This coordinated statewide approach is a proactive step toward strengthening competitiveness, leveraging strategic investments, and ensuring long-term economic resilience. This bill DID pass the 2026 session.
Bill Information | MACo Coverage
MACo supported HB 1358/SB 777 – Labor and Employment – Workforce Development and Local Workforce Development Boards (Local Workforce Solutions Investment Act). This bill will enhance several important programs by strengthening coordination with local workforce development boards which serve as the backbone of workforce service delivery, connecting residents to training and employers to skilled talent. This bill DID pass the 2026 session.
Bill Information | MACo Coverage
MACo supported HB 1580 – Economic Development – Maryland Enhanced Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts. This bill would have authorized MEDCO, with approval from the Board of Public Works, to issue bonds for the development of a Maryland Enhanced Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District in areas where a local jurisdiction has already approved a TIF plan. This would have allowed the state to partner in select large-scale projects that have already secured local approval. This bill DID NOT pass the 2026 session.
Bill Information | MACo Coverage
MACo supported HB 506/SB 455 – Economic Development – Transformational Project Financing Program – Establishment. This bill would have established the Transformational Project Financing Program to support large, high-impact development projects in areas where a local government has approved a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plan and pledged local property tax revenues. This program would have complemented locally approved TIF plans and helped close funding gaps that can stall catalytic projects. This bill DID NOT pass the 2026 session.
Bill Information | MACo Coverage
MACo opposed SB 853 – Economic Development Activity – Nondisclosure Agreements. This bill would have prohibited an individual, governing body, legislator, or employee from entering into a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) with a person involved in an economic development activity, including data centers. MACo raised concerns that such a restriction could place Maryland at a competitive disadvantage when attracting or retaining businesses, limiting a tool that local governments may rely on during preliminary negotiations. This bill DID NOT pass the 2026 session.
Bill Information | MACo Coverage
As amended, MACo took no position on HB 235/SB 47 – Housing and Community Development – Neighborhood Business Development Program – Local Approval Requirement. Counties raised concerns that the bill would eliminate an effective safeguard requiring local government consent before project financing is approved by eliminating the requirement for local government consent before the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) may approve financing under the Neighborhood Business Development Program. Following collaborative discussions with the Department and the Committee, the bill was amended to preserve local input while adjusting the response timeline from 45 days to 15 days, addressing core county concerns and prompting MACo’s change to a neutral position. This bill DID pass the 2026 session.
Bill Information | MACo Coverage
MACo opposed HB 983 – State Tax Credits, Modifications, and Exemptions – Alterations and Repeal. This bill would restrict, repeal, or phase out proven incentives to attract investment, create jobs, and strengthen local economies, such as the One Maryland Tax Credit and the Enterprise Zone Tax Credit programs. These incentives create jobs, attract businesses, and support long-term economic growth. Repealing or sunsetting them without adequate replacements would weaken Maryland’s ability to compete for investment and build a stronger economy. This bill was withdrawn by the sponsor and DID NOT pass the 2026 session.
